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Home My WebLink About10.A.1. Update on Current Status of Discussion with MN Valley Transit Authority Regarding Transit Service CondolidationsTO: Mayor and City Council General Business 10. A. 1. Mark McNeill, City Administrator FROM: R. Michael Leek, Community Development Director DATE: 04/15/2014 SUBJECT: Update on the Current Status of Discussions with Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) Regarding Transit Service Consolidations (D) Action Sought City Council is asked to provide consensus on whether it agrees with the following principles and benchmarks for consolidation of transit services with MVTA; Principles: • MVTA would take over the existing services as of January 1, 2015 including all operational costs; • MVTA would provide the same level of services currently provided (or increased services to meet increasing demands); • The cities of Shakopee and Prior lake would be provided with a mechanism for withdrawing from the MVTA JPA (with their monetary and capital assets) should MVTA not provide the level of transit services expected above. Benchmarks: • Approval by Shakopee and Prior Lake of amended MVTA JPA ... July 2015; • Approval by current members of MVTA of amended JPA ... November 2014; • Roll out of combined services... January 1, 2015. Background Previously, the City Council provided direction to proceed with discussions with MVTA regarding transit service consolidation. A Technical Work Group (TWG) made up of staff from the agencies and Elected Work Group (EWG) have been working through the issues related to consolidation. The Council will be asked to provide direction as to whether it concurs with the principles and benchmarks for consolidation. Recommendation Budget Impact This has no impact on the City's general fund budget. Relationship to Vision This item relates to City Goal D. Maintain improve and create strong partnerships with other public and private sector entities. Requested Action Provide staff with consensus direction whether to continue pursuing consolidation of transit services according to the principles and benchmarks outlined above. Attachments: MVTA Update MVTA=Prior Lake - Shakopee Merger Update for Shakopee City Council 0 Shakopee Transit m P -,Ift &mmrm Minnesota Valley Transit Authority April 15, 2015 rQ tRiq; L.t Nt.'R Lows Agenda------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ i. Guiding Principles ii. Financial Update iii. Contract Update iv. Questions /Concerns v. Next Steps &Action Items ► 2 Consensus to Date: Technical Work Group Consensus Shakopee Circulator operations remain status quo pending more detailed study of local service in Scott County ► Updated agreements with MVTA will be in place before existing Prior Lake /Shakopee /Scott County agreements are terminated Independent financial report will be beneficial Guiding principles capture intent of merging services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Guiding Principles -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- ----------------- - --- - -_ MVTA Service Change Process Guiding Principles i. Maintain (at a minimum) existing level of services 2. Maintain and upgrade existing capital assets 3. Review overall service plan (express, local, and unmet needs) and consider service adjustments 4. Establish priorities, based on updated service plan Next steps: Develop work plan Service Change Effective Driver training; pocket schedule production; rider notification Final service change information (60 days before change) Draft service change information Complete planning/Begin scheduling (3 months before change) Public consulatation & review of service change requests (4 -5 months before change) Record and respond to public comments; monitor service; analyze ridership ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- , 4 Financial Review Update Existing operational costs have been identified Cost share to work with Springsted (Estimated cost $12,000 with 50% paid by MVTA and 25% each for Shakopee and Prior Lake) Independent financial report provides 5 -year analysis Outside perspective ► Post -grant forecasting Draft report to TW G on April l 7th Review by Elected work Group on April 24th 5 ContractUpdate ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ � Contracts shared with Met Council Master Lease Agreements Fare Reimbursement Agreements G rants JARC CMAQ Completion of Met Council review targeted for July ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Milestone Update • Get the right people involved & updated January/ Ask questions NOW February Establish EWG &TWG • Work to break down tasks and answer questions • Begin bus reassignment and fund transfer conversations March • Continue document and service reviews Consideration of points of agreement and Draft JPA April amendment to include Prior Lake & Shakopee EWG /TWG meeting with financial report and work plan May Joint EWG /TWG meeting with final status updates Prior Lake and Shakopee make decision on JPA June Submit JPA to other MVTA cities for approval Draft other agreements as necessary Complete In Progress Milestone Update July • Finalize financial review details and bus reassignment process • EWG /TWG meeting with update on JPA, Met Council, August contracts, and marketing /publicity plan • State Fair Pilot Project September/ October November/ December 2015 19 • Begin development of marketing and publicity for merge • Begin Customer Service Training • Begin implementing Work Plan • Design and print new schedules • Final JPA approval by all partners • Fund transfers • Marketing begins • Prior Lake and Shakopee operations transfer to MVTA • Celebration and Roll Out e �o��rpf X44 -low mm `u n I Shakopee Minnesota Valley Transit Authority LAKER Transit Lv,,ES Questions &Answers ® 9 NextSteps ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- r Points of Consensus Action Item Recap Next Meeting April 3 —TWG Meeting ► April 17 —TWG Meeting ► April 24 —Joint EWG /TWG Meeting ► April Meeting ► Complete financial report ► Draft work plan ► Draft JPA update ► May Meeting ► Approve JPA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- � 10